Flower-stem-reenforcing machine



March 16,1926 1,576,898

E. L. BROWN FLOWER STEM REENFORCING MACHINE Filed F eb. 13. 1925 10 sheets-sheet 1 March 16 1926. 1,576,898

E. L BROWN FLOWER STEM REENFORCING MACHINE Filed Feb. 13, 1925 1Q Sheets-Sheet 2 gnuzntoz J-Z'MWW.

March 16 1926.

E. L. BROWN R STEM REENFORCING MACHINE FLOWE Filed Feb. 15. 1925 l Sheets-Sheet gwwmtoz jljrawrq March 16 1926. 1,576,898

E. 1.. BROWN FLOWER STEM REENFORCING.MACHINE Filed Feb. 13. 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ma rch 16 E. L. BROWN FLOWER STEM HEENFORCING MACHINE 1o Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 13. 1925 March 16 1926. 1,576,898 E. 1.. BROWN FLOWER STEM REENFORCING MACHINE Filed Feb. 13, 1925 1d Sheets-Sheet 6 gm swank March 16 1926. 1,576,898

E. L. BROWN FLOWER STEM REENFORCING MACH1NE Filed Feb. 1,3, 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet v gwoentow March 16,1926. 1,576,898

E. L. BROWN wowsn s'rm REENFORCING 111101111111 Filed Feb. 15, 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet a .Z. Z.,Braww,

61m; 11 a q gwuento'o 1 March 16 1926. 1,576,898

E. 1.. BROWN I FLOWER STEM REENFORCING MACHINE Filed Feb. 13, 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 March 16 1926.

Filed Feb. 13

10 Sheet s-Sheet 10 0 a Y w 8 Av k M o 0 .lll! o. M I W. 3 Z o l J 2 w, 5 3 Cu 1 3 Z 2 z m Q ,m a: w z 1 2 g ,4

gwovmk w Z l. Bram/w Patented Mar. 16,

cen res STATES PATENT orrics.

ELMO L. BROWN, OF ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA.

FLQWER-STEM-REENFORCING MACHINE.

Application filed February 13, 1925. Serial No. 8,919.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELMO L. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Asheville, in the county of Buncombe and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Flower-Stem-Reenforcing Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flower stem reenforeing machines and has more par-.

It has heretofore been necessary to perform this operation by hand and the same is very tedious andcomplicated and requires the services of a skilled artisan.

Through the provision of a machine of this character natural flowersmay be reenforc-ed at their stems by an unskilled person, and in a highly slmple and expeditlous manner.

An additional ob ect of the lnventlon 1s to provide automatic-means for moving the A further and important object is to provide automatic means for severing the wire that is brought from a source of supply after the wrapping operation has beencompleted.

A further and important ob ect 1s to provide a machine wherein the elements of con- 'struction may be so arranged as to permit a wire carrying spool that constitutes an essential element of the lnvention, to be replenished from a wire reel that is mounted cross-section of the outlet end of said secfor rotation within the machine.

A still further object is the provision of a flower stem reenforcing machine that is of relatively simple construction and highly efiicient in operation, and of such a nature as to permit the ready disassembling of the same for repair or renewal purposes.

A final salient object is the provision of a machine of this character that may be readily actuated by handpower or motor as desirable.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view as the nature of the invention will be better understood, the same comprises the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed. I

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate throughout the different views:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of the machine, the casing door thereof being in open position.

Figure 2 is a detailed vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the broken line 22 of Figure 1 for disclosing more clearly in side' elevation the flexible stick feeding rod guide means together with the supply hopper for the sticks.

Figure 3 is a similar view looking in a direction toward the left and taken substantiallyupon the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4: is an eleva't-ional view of one side of the machine for disclosing more clearly a form of hand operating mechanism together with means for uncoupling the corresponding parts Wire winding mechanism in order that the 7 wire carrying spool may be replenished from the wire reel by rotation of the master shaft which, during the main, operation of the ma chine is adapted to be alternately rotated in opposite directions.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view for clearly disclosing the driving .mechanism for the wire wrapping and stick feeding construction.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the stick dis-- c'hargeend of the flexible rod guide tube for more clearly disclosing the position of the stick and flower stem during the wire wrapping operation and for disclosing in side elevation the wire wrapping arm that is carried by the wire spool. 7

Figure 6* is an enlarged fragmentary tion for clearly disclosing the means for retaining a reenforcing stick therein after the feed rod-has started upon a return movement in said flexible rod guide tube section. v

Figure 7 is adetailed elevational view of the outer side of the wire winding arm together with the wire end clamping member that is disposed upon the discharge end of the flexible rod guide tube.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of this mechanism.

Figure 9 is a fragn'ientary elevational view of the upper end of the guide tube upon which is disposed said wire end clamp that has been automatically opened and shown in a position to be automatically closed at the time the wire winding arm returns to its normal position, this clamp being adapted to retain the end of the wire that projects outwurdlv froi-n the end of the winding arm in order that the wire may be held at-this end during the upward movement of the arm while the same is revolving around the flower stem and stick.

Figure 10 is an elevational view showing the opposite side of the clamp per se.

l igure 11 is a perspective of the clamp bl ck per so with which is pivotally associated an automatically actuated clamping jaw.

Figure 12 is a similar view of the clamping jaw per se;

Figure 13 is a view' similar to Figure 8, but differs therefrom insomuch as the wire clamp in this figure is shown in a position just prior to being opened whereas in Figure 8 the clamp is shown just prior to being closed.

Figure 1 L is a fragmentary sectional view through the top wall of the machine casing through an opening in which is disposed a relatively short spirally slotted tube in vertical alignment with the stick discharge end i of the flexible rod guide tube for supporting a liower stem and reenforeing stick in a v rtical manner and in close relation during the wrapping of the wiregthero around. This view also discloses the auton'iatically actuated wire cutter that is controlled at the time the wire carrying and wrapping arm reaches its upward limit of n'iovement so that the wire that has been wrapped around. the stem and stick may be severed from a wire supply upon the heretofore mentioned spool.

Figs 15 is an enlarged elevational view g the means for automatically acthe wire cutter.

tuating Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary viewt en substantially upon the line 16- n) of gure 1 and'lookmg in a direction toward the right for more clearly disclosing automatic mechanism for gradually forcing the wire carrying spool and the wire wrapping arm upwardly upon its guide shaft during the operation oft-he machine.

Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the stick supply hopper from whi h is automatically fed during each operation of the machine a single stick into the tlefible rod guide tube in orderthat the same may be forced by the action of the fiexible rod to a point partially.outwardly of the discharge end ofsaid guide tube, this View disclosing the single stick lifting plunger in position primary to the injection of the stick into the guide tube which passes through the upper end of the hopper.

Figure 18 is a similar fragmentary view disclosing the single stick as having been fed into the tube afterthe flexible rod has been extended to a position within the tube to enable the ejection of the stick thereinto.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substinitially upon the line 19-49 of Figure 17 for disclosing the relative position of the stick with respect to the flexible teed rod prior to the projection of the stick into the feed rod guide tube.

Figure 20 is' a fragmentary bottom plan view of the main mechanism supporting frame disposed within the casing for more clearly disclosing a releasable latch mechanismthat maintains the section of the flexible rod guide tube shown in Figure 6 within its supporting structure in an anti-vibratory manner.

Figure 21'is' a fragmentary elevational view partly in cross section disclosing the driving mechanism of the i'i'iachine in such relation as to enable the master shaft to be continuously rotated in order that the wire spool may be rotated without its consequent vertical rising so that the wire from the main wire reel within the machine may be wound thereon for use in subsequent operations of the machine.

Figure 22 is an enlarged detail vertical section taken substantially upon the line of Figure 21 for disclosing in side elevation the automatic means for slowly raising the wire carrying spool during the operation of the machine, in this instance the relationship of the parts being such as to prevent the raising of the spool at the time the wire is being wound thereon.

Figure is a view partially in plan, and partially in section disclosing means controlled by the gear shifting mechanism in order that the parts of the machine may be properly related with respect to each other at the time of shifting the gears Ior obviously preventing the untiming of the parts when connecting or disconnecting certain gears when throwing the machine into position for the stem winding operation or the spool replenishing operation.

Figure Q-l: is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing this construction in side elevation. l

lr' igure is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in cross section disclosing the connecting means ljtl" tween the baforementioned flexible rod and its actuatzn" Figure seas a view partly in elevation and partly in section disclosing the opposite end of the flexible rod from that shown in Figure 25, this end of the flexible rod car- Al llieiiront and rear walls oi: this casing are "n'e'erabl' in the form of h nged doors 8 l w v that may be secured in closed position feet for the machine these boards being 1nthrough the medium of suitable latches 9.

Pendent from the opposite side walls of the casin are boards 10 that atlord supporting terconnerted by across angle bar 11.

' Within the casing directly above the lowerinost frame connecting bars 7 s a hori; Zontally disposed supporting stru 'ture that includes a pair of spaced horizons-l angle bars 12-42 that are connected at their n posite ends to tra-i'isveii'se bars 13 that e secured at their respective ends to the corner posts 6 of the casing frame construction. ltigidly secured to the spaced angle bars l2-.lr3 adjacent the right hand end thereof is the base plate ll of a gear casing 15 disposed within whiih is a relatively large spira gear 16 slidably keyed as at 1? to a horizontal shaft 18 that is journaled in bearings formed integral with the side walls of the gear casing and that extends at one end outwar lly of the casing through an opening 19 in the adjacent side wall thereof, Figures 5 and 21.

Having mesh with said spiral gear 16 is a spiral pinion 20 that is carried by a shaft 731 journaled in horizontal alignment with the first mentioned shaft 18 within a bearing unit that forms an integral part of the gear c sing l5, fiigures 1, 5 andQl. Upon the led hand end of this shaft 21 which as shown in these before mentioned figures is in vertical alignn'ient with the shaft 18, is a relativelylarge bevel gear 2 for a purpose hereinafter more fully described.

A further horizontal shaft 23 is journalcd within the bearing unit formed at the top of the gear casing 15, the opposite ends thereof extending outwardly of the unitand having keyed to its left hand end a. circular disk 22 and at its right hand end a relatively small and wide spur gear Also keyed to this shaft 23 intermediate the spur gear 25 and the bearings is a relatively small flanged pulley 26 for a purpose hereinafter more fully described.

.The spur gear 25 upon one end of said shaft 28 is normally in mesh with a relatively larger spur gear 2? that is keyed to the first mentioned horizontal shaft 18 intern'iediate the gear casing 15 and wall. of the machine casing 5 whereby when the shaft 18 is rotated in opposite directions in a manner and for the purpose hereinafter l lllJOfl alternate rotary movement will be i iparted to the shafts E21 and Ri 'idh secured to the s aaced arallel bars 7 l212 of the before mentioned supporti frame is the plate 28 of a vertically en- 'tending relatively elongated guide tube 29 within the upper end of which is a tubular bearing 30 that is shouldered at 31 for rest upon the upper end of the guide tube for obviously preventing the downward movement of the bearing therein. Directly above the upper end of said guide tube the bearing 30 is formed with a beveled gear 32 that has mesh with the relatively large bevel gear 22 upon the adjacent end of the second men-" tioned horizontal shaft 21. Extending upwardly from the bevel gear 32 and form d integral therewith is a combined drive and guide rod33 for a wire carrying spool 34. This rod is relatively square shaped in cross s ction and is formed throughout its length with a vertical bore in communication with the tubular bearing 30 for the bevel gear 32, Figure 6.

The construction of the wire spool 34 employed in connection with a machine of this character is preferably as shown in said Figure 6, the same including heads 35 and 36 slightly beyond the oppositeends of the wire carrying member of said s oolconstruction.

The heads are formed with aligned central square shaped openings through which the rod 33 extends obviously facilitating the rotation of the spool during the rotation of the rod and the vertical sliding movement of the spool in opposite directions upon said rod.

The wire carrying portion per se of the spool construction is disposed over and has frictional engagement with a tube 37 that afi'ords an interconnection between the heads and 36. This detail of construction permits the unwrapping of the wire A from its carrying element per so during the rotation and vertical sliding movement of the spool construction.

Rigidly disposed within the guide tube 29,

beveled gear bearing 30 and rod 33 is one section 38 of the stick feeding flexible rod guide tube 39, Figures 5 and 6. The upper end of this section of the guide tube extends slightly above the square rod and secured thereon is a wire clamp 40 hereinafter more fully described. This section of the guide tube is maintained in a relatively rigid position'within the guide 29, etc. thr ugh the provision of a releasable latch construction 11, Figure 20, that includes a latch plate 12 that is pivoted at one end as at a3 to one of the spaced parallel bars 12 of the supporting frame ithin the machine casing, the opposite end of which is formed with an actuating finger piece 44-. Adjacent this edge of the latch plate the same is notched as at 45 which receives the shank of a set screw 46 when the plate is closed, said set screw being received within a threaded opening of the opposite bar 12 of the said supporting frame. Intermediate the ends of this latch plate t2 the same is formed upon the inner edge thereof with a notch l? that engages within the groove of a collar t8 that is rigidly secured to the section 38 oi said flexible shaft guide t be 39, Figure 5. By releasing the latch inecianism and byremoving the wire clamp 4:0 from the upper end of said flexible rod guide tube, this section thereof may be removed'for repair or cleaning purposes. The lower end of this section 38 of said guide tube 89 terminates in a curved portion d9, Figure 1 that is to be placed in communication with the adjacent end of the in termediate section 50 which is disposed in a relatively horizontal manner, Figures 1'? and 18, for a purpose hereinafter described, the opposite end of this intermediate section being also adapted to be placed in communication with the adjacent end of the other section 51 of said guide tube. This last mentioned section of the guide tube extends upwardly and is then bent into ring-like formation 52 which portionthereof is disposed in spaced relation with the adjacent side wall of the machine casing through the medium of hanger members 53, Figures 1, 2 and 21. Secured to or formed integral with the uppermost horizontal shaft 23 intermediate the spur gear 25 and pulley 26 is a right angularly extending arm 54, Figures 2 and 25, to the outer end of which is secured one end of the reentoreing stick feeding rod This feeding rod 55 is necessarily of .iible formationbeing preferably in the nature of a coiled spring. The outer end of the arm 5% extends into the rod guide tube 39 through a slot 56 formed in this section said tube. One end of the spring forming said flexible rod is brought out ardly of the tube through said slot 56 and is secured to the arm through the medium of a suitable clamp 57.

in so far as l have described my invention, it will be apparent that when the machine is set tor flower stem reentorcing opc; tion the flexible rod 55 will be iorced through the sections or 'the tubc for feeding e reentorcing sticlr B to the position fllififil in Figure 6 in a manner and for a purpose hereinafter to be more fully de scri bed. I

The receptacle tor the reenforcing stick con ts of a relatively V-shaped hopper 58, the bot-tom wall of which is provided with a transverse slot through w rich is slidable a plate-hire plunger 59 that is longitudinally grooved at its upper edge as shown 11! Flge /ease ures 1i and 18. The intermediate section 50 ot the guide tube 39 extends transversely of the upper end of the hopper, the opposite ends of the same being positioned within openings in the side walls thereof. The lower surface of this guide tube section 50 is provided with a slot through which the upper grooved end of the plunger is adapted to extend, Figure 18 for positioning a single stick therein during eacii operation of the plunger.

The free end of. the flexible rod carries a soclreted member 60 for receiving the adjacent end of the stick 3 that is carried upwardly bv the plunger 59 in order that when this red is moved in the direction of the arrow, Figure 18, said stick will be positively moved within the tube 39 to the positionshown in Figure 6.

in order that each stick B will be positively maintained in the position shown in said figure the upper end of the section 38 ot d tube 39 is formed with a spring lin er til, Figure 6", that is strucit out from the material forming this section of the tube. The upper end of the finger is bent inwardly of the tube and binds the stick against the wall. of the tube for holding the same in such a position during the reversal of movement of the flexible rod.

In order that the st cks B will be positively engaged within the socket member 60 of the tlexil ilerod there is provided a spring finger 62 that is connected at one end as at 63 to one wall of the hopper the other end of this spring finger projecting into the section 50 ot the tube through a slot 64: in the top surface thereof. It apparent that this end of the spring finger always engages the sticks they are moved upwardly into the tube through the action of the plate like plunger The operation of the plunger is controllel simultaneously with the alternate rotation of the uppermost horizontal shaft 23 and this operation is occasioned through the medium of a flexible. spring strip (55 that is connected at one end to the before mentioned pulley Q6 and at its o 'ipositc end to a retractile coil spring 66 that is in turn connected at its opposite end to the upper end of one of u iair of vertically extending tubes (ii-67 that are secured to the lower end of the plunger and that are guided in their vertical sliding movement within bearings (3S suitably secured to the side walls of the hopper 58.

It will thus be seen that the rotation of the shaft 23 in one direction wil occasion lid direction of the arrow in Figure 17. Ohviously the stick that is carried by the plunger strikes the flexible rod but due to the provision of the retractile spring 66 suncient play is allowed in the sliding movement of the plunger to facilitate the in veinent ot the flexible rod in the direction of said, arrow in said Figure 17. Immediately upon the flexible rod reaching the position shown in Figure 18 said spring 66 will further draw the plunger 59 upwardly for dis posing the sticlr in position within the section o1 the guide tube 39 in order that when the flexible rod starts to move in the direction oi. the arrow in Figure 18 the sticlr will be forced through the tube into the position shown in Figure (5.

In order that the plunger 59 may bemoved rearwardly to stick obtaining position when the rotation of the shaft 23 is reversed there is provided a. retractile coil spring 69 appropriately anchored at its opposite ends to the machine casing and. one of the guide tubes 67 carried by said plunger. A

Secured to the upper head 85 of the spool construction is a disc 70 that is .l ori'ned at its edge with a vertically extending arm 71 that terminates at its upper end in an arouate shaped wire guide tube 72. This arm 71 is formed upon its outer side with a pendent curved arin extension 73 that carries at its lower end a suitable wire guide pulley T-il over which the wire supply from the pulley construction is trained as indicated in Figure 6. lhis wire is then brought upwardly and passed through a suitable guide 75 after which it is trained outwardly through the guide 72. r

New returning to the wire clamp l0 that rigidly secured to the upper projecting end or the section 38 of the rod guide tube 38 and referring particularly to Figures 1O, 11 and 19 inclus' s. it will he noted that this clamp includes a head 76- formed ith a central opening 77 for the reception said projecting end or the tube section and being secured this projecting end in any manner desirable preferablythrough the medium of the set screw shown in Figure it t one side of this head 76 there is formed a bore T8 wi hin which is loosclydisposed a pintle TE) that carries at one end a wire clau'i 'iing jaw 80 that is of arcuate formation and so arranged with respect to the pintle to position over an arcuate inclined portion 81. upon the top surface of the head avhen these parts are assembled. Pendent from one end of this jaw 80 is a leg 82 that is formed at the lower endjthereofwith a it angular lug 83. As the wire end carrying arm 71 reaches its lowermost limit of u'iov-..nent as shown in Figural, thislug 83 engaged by a lug 8% upon the inner side of the arm 71 adjacent its upper 'end "for obviously moving the clamping jaw 80 to closed position in engagement with the surface 81 of the clamp head 7 6 in a manner as more clearly brought out by the arrows in Figure 9. This action will consequently clamp the projecting end of the wire strand that engages outwardly of the guide tube 72 hetween the head and clamping jaw for holding the same during the reverse rotation of the wire carrying arm in its upward movement-as will be hereinafter more fully described. 4 I

The under surface of the clamping jaw 80 is preferably milled as at 85 for affording a positive clamping of the wire between the jaw and head.

For limiting the UPWfilCllHOVGlDGDi] of the spool construction at the wire end carrying arm the before mentioned disc 70 is provided upon its top surface with a lug 86 that strikes the lug 83 ofthe clampingjaw leg for obviously moving the Clamping jaw to the open position as in Figure 13. The

opening of the jaw will release the end of I the Wire for permitting the extraction of the stem reenforced flower, hereinafter more fully described.

' In order that the clamping jaw 86 may he maintained in open or closed positions until positively moved from closed to open position, and vice versa, there provided upon the oppositeend of the clamping jaw carrying pintlc 79 a springfinger 87 that has frictional engagement with a pin 8'? carried by the clamp head 76, Figures 10 and 11.

Disposed within an opening in the top wall of the machine casing is one end of a flower stem and stick guide tube 88 that is in vertical alignment with the flexible rod guide tube section 00, Figure (5. This tuloe S8 is spirally slotted at its lower end as at 89 to permit the wlire A. to be spirally wrappe jl around tli stick B and stem C of the flower D during the operationot the machine. v

For controlling the upward sliding movement of the spool construction and the wire end guide arm 7 during the rotation thereof the low 'inost head #36 f the spool construction is c ir-cuinierentially channeled at 90, Figure 6. Disposed within this channel 90 is the yoked end 91 of a rearwardly extending lint: 9&2", lligure 23, that is carried upon the upper end of a vertical rod 9.1 that is preferably square shape, the same being guided for verticalsliding movement within hearing l)l )Cl S formed upon the rear surface of the relatively elongated guide member 29. Intermediate these guide bearii'igs 92 there is rigidly connected to this rod an arm 93 that has pivotal connection at its outer end to one endof a link 94;. The lower end. of this link 94: is in turn pivotally connected to an inwardly directed arm 95 that is mounted at its innerend for swing Hit) ing movement upon a pin 96 that is formed upon or otherwise secured to the aforementioned guide 29. Also mounted for swinging movement upon this pin 96 and operatively connected to said arm 95 is a bell crank shaped arm 97 that carries at its upper end a roller 98.

Keyed to the inner end of the first mentioncdhoriaontal shaft 18 is a cam disc 99 necessarily of the shape shown in Figures 3 and 16 in order that when the machine is set for flower stem .reent'orcing operation the cam will during the rotation of the shaft 13 in opposite directions so actuate the bell crank 97, arm 95, link 94, arm 93, rod 91 and link 92 to more the spool construction and wire end guide arm 71 in opposite vertical directions simultaneously with the rotation of the spool construction and wire end guide arm.

Formed upon the outer side of the cam disc 99 is acircular disc 100 of a radius slightly greater than the raoius of the low point of the cam disc 99 in order that when the horizontal shaft 18 is shifted for cutting out the vertical movement of the spool construction, the spool construction will be held at such a position as to prevent the engagement of the wire end guide arm earryinglug 84 with the lug 83 of the clamp jaw arm 82.

Now describing the operation of the machine in so far as the description thereof has progressed I will assume that a reenforcing stick has been automatically moved to the position shown in Figure 6 and held in such a position through the medium of the spring finger 61 of the flexible rod guide tube section 38 and that a flower has been inserted in the spirally slotted tube 88 and supported in such a position in close relationship it-h the'stic-k B by resting upon the inwardly bent end of said spring finger 61 as in Figure 6. I will assume that the end of the wire projecting inwardly from the guide tube 2 of the arm 71 has been secured within the clamp construction 40. A rotation of the master shaft 18 in a manner hereinafter described in one direction will obviously through the medium of the gearing construction cause a rotation of the square rod 33" and a simultaneous rotation of the wire spool construction and wire end guide arm 71. Immediately upon the spool construction rotating, the wire will begin wrapping around the stem and stick in a manner as shown in Figure 6. In order that the wire may be drawn from its carrying element of the spool construction and in order that the spiral wrapping of the wire may be occasioned, the spool construction is slowly moved upwardly upon the rod 33 through themedium of the cam and lever construction hereinbefore described. As soon as the wire reaches the lowermost end of the tube 88, the same will pass into the open end of the spiral slot 89 of said tube for manifestly occasioning a drawing of the wire from its carrying member and the same will also act upon the wire so as to form the spiral wrapping of the same around the stem and stick.

Immediately upon the spool construction of the wire end guide arm reaching the upward limit of movement the wire between the spirally slotted tube and guide T2 will pass between the stationary and movable blade 101 and 102 respectively of a. wire cutter whereupon the movable blade will to automatically actuated to closed position for cutting the wire. Simultaneously with th s operation, the lug S6 of the guide wire arm carrying disc 70 will strike the lu 33 of the clamping jaw arm 82 for lOltiZl: mg the lowermost end of the wire that has been wrapped around the stem in order that the stem in a reenforced and wire wrapped condition may be removed from the tube 88 and the same will appearidentical with the showing in Figure 97.

The actuating mechanism for the movable blade 102 of the wire cutter constitutes the provision of a pendent arm 103 that is p otally connected to the outer end of the movable blade 102 and carries at its lower end a plate 104; that is provided with a vertical slot 105 within which engc 1 the shank of a set screw 106 that is disposed within a central screw threaded opening of the disc 24 that is carried upon the end of the uppermost horizontal shaft 23. This plate 104 is provided with a shoulder 10? that is engaged by a set screw 109 carried by said disc 24; in order that as the disc moves in the direction of the arro vs shown in Figure 15, the member 103 will be raised upwardly for obviously closing the blade 1021which will thereupon snip the wire after the same has been wrapped around the flower stem and sticlz.

Upon rotation of the master shaft- 18 in an opposite direction the set screw 103 :1.

disc 2 will engage the curved edge 109 of the plate 1- upon the end of the member 103 for drawing said member 103 down- 'wardly for opening the movable blade of the cutter, the slot 105 in said plate permitting of this movement of the member 103.

Simultaneously with the upward movement of the spool construction upon the rod 33 the flexible rod moves rearwardly within the guide tube 39 and after the socket carrying end thereof has reached the position shown in Figure 18 the feed plunger '59 within the hopper 54 will move to the position shown in Figure 18 in order that as the spool construction is being returned downwardly, a single stick is being moved into the position shown in Figure 6. The operation of the feed plunger and flexible rod are so timed with respect to each other that the feed plunger 59 begins moving u p war'dly simultaneously with the rearward travel of the rod ln'unediately upon the soool construction reaching its lowermost limit of movement the projecting end 031 the wire from the guide tube will engage between the head 76 and clamping jaw 80 of the clamping con struction cit) whereupon the lug 8 of the wire end guide arm 71 will strike the lug S3 oi the clamping jaw leg for again securing the end of the wire in position for allowin a subsequent ope fation oi the device. in till; connectitm i wish it to be understood that it necessary to first rotate the master shaft 18 a full turn in one direction which wil l ccasion the wrapping of the wire upon the flow; stem and stick and a rotation of the master shaft in an opposite direc ion returns the parts to initial position.

Any desi able means may be employed for alternately rotating the master shaft 18, but for the purpose of illustration 1 have disclosed the end of this shaft that projects through the openings 19 of the machine casing as equipped with a handle lever 110.

In order that the master shaft 18 may be moved horizontally within its bearings for disengaging the primary drive gear 2? from the gear of the shaft 23 in order that the n tster shaft 18 may be rotated for imparting a continuous rotation to the spool connction 3 1 for purpose hereinafter to be nore fully described, said shaft 18 is formed directly inwardly of the handle 18 with a grooved collar 111. Engaging within the groove ct this collar are inwardly directed pins or lugs carried upon the opposite arms of a tori: shaped plate 112 which is rigidly connected to a shaft 113 journaled within lble bearings 114: positioned upon the ojacent side wall of the machine casing, Figure wardly extending arm 115 to which is universally pivotally secured the lower end of a length adjustable rod 116, the upper end of which is eccentrically connector at 11? to one end of a horizontal shaft 118 that is journal d at its opposite end with the bearing 119 also car 'icd by the adjacent sidwall of the machine crsing. This tha t i carries a handle lever 120 and it will be obvious that by throwing the same downwardly into the position shown in 'Figure 1 the l 113 will be so rotated as to slide the ardlv into the position shown it 118 on u said figure tor obviously disengaging lie gears 27 and r In order that the gear 2? may disengaged om the gear 25 and reengage therewith bout the consequent untiming'of the dittl'e'rent units of construction, there is pivotally arranged upon this side wall of the machine casing a forked plate 121 that is northe wall. of the casein Jhis shaft 113 carries a short in-' ll t ly forced dowuwzircly in or the arrow in gur A i the medium of a spring oownward moven'ient of this to red plate is limited through the presence or a pin 123 that will engage "l ter the same has been mm to a suusuintially horizontal position. inorder that the gears and n ay be connected or disconnected without placing the units of construction in untin'ied. relation, the handle lever 110 ht into the position shown in F r which the lever 121 sir-Jung dour.-

.he direction wardly as in Fig at r-ihich time the toi'k plate will engage the lsndle lever 110 and prevent any accidental movement of the 3 during the unineshing actuation of said It will thus be seen that after the 1.8 has been moved to the position mil in Fi a; 21 the same may be @313 uously rotated for imparting a continuous rotation to the wire spool construction ll hen the gen s are again to be brought into intermeshing relation, the handle lit) is *rought to a position directly adjacent the -forked plate 121 after which the le 120 turned to the position shown in Fig ure and there maintained by a suita 1e latch plate In order that the spool construction may be replenished there is suitably suppo ted for rotation within the machine a wire reel 125 and obviously whener is des red to replenish the supply of wire upon the spool construction one end of the supply upon the reel 125 is suitably secured to the wire carrying member of the spool construction after which the handle lever 110 is rotated continuously which will through the medium of the shaft 18 impart rotation to the rod 33 through the medium of the gearing connection cor prising the large bevel gear 22 and small bevel gear 82 rotate the spool construction for winding the wire thereon.

to provide means for preventing the in e rotation of the wire can ing member of the spool construction upon the tube 3'? during the stem winding operation, this means comprising a spring plate that is carried bv the under side of an e. formed upon the dis-3 70, the out free end of which is ada ted rict-ionaily engage the if. L I e wire carryingmember or the spool'construction in .a n'iun ner'as clearly shown in Figui G and 8. Further details of operation *ill be apparent to those skilled in and l wi sh to he herewith understood that 1 do not msh to be limited to the specific structural elements sho vn and described insomuch as all the same may be improved or modified with-- out departing irom thespirit or scope or the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, wha; I claim as new is i 1. In machine of the class described, a holder for a stem, means for delivering to and supporting in said holdel a stick, means for wrapping wire arounc. the stick and stem in the holder, and means for severing the wire when a predetermined amount thereof has teen wrapped around said stick and stem in the holder. 7

2. in a machine of the class described, stein holder, a source of si'ipply of suitablelength sticks, means for singly feeding said sticks to position in parallel relation with a. stem in the holder, and mean for wrapping; wire around the stem and stick in the holder.

3. In a machine of the character described, a. stem holder, a source oi supply of suitable length sticks, means for singly feeding said sticks to positions in parallel relation with a stem in the holder, means for wrapping wire around a stem and stick in the holder, and means t'or severing the wire after a predetermined amount thereot has heen wrapped around said stick and said stein in the holder.

l. In a machine of the class described, a

- stem holder a source of suool of suitable a i l. .7

length sticks, means for singly feeding said sticks to position in parallel relation with a stem in the holder, a source of wire, means "for holding an end of said wire, and means for moving the source of wire about a stem and stick in the holder to wrap the wire thereabout.

In a machine of the class described, a stem holder, a source of supply of suitable length sticks, means for singly feeding said sticks to position in parallel relation with a stem in the holder, a source of wire, means for holding an end of said wire, means for moving the source of wire about a stem and stick in the holder to wrap the wire thereabout, and means "tor severing the wire after a predetermined length thereof has been wrapped about the stick and the stem in the holder.

6. in a machine of the class described, a stern holder, a stem holder, a source of supply of suitable length sticks, means for singly feeding said sticks to position in parallel relation with a stem in the holder, a source of wire, means for holding an end of said wire, means for moving the source of wire about a stem and stick in the holder to wrap the wire thereabout, means for sererinq the wire after a redetermined' length thereof has been wrapped about the stick and the stem in said holder, said means tor holding the end oi the wire adapted to release and obtain a new grip on a new end of the wire of said source.

7. In a machine of the class described, a

parallel relation, mechanical means for wrappin a predetermined length of material aronnd the stem and stick, and auto matic means for severing predetermined lengths from a supply of said material at the end of the wrapping operation.

9. In a machine oit the class described, means for retaining a stem and a stick in parallel relation, mechanical means for mapping a predetermined length of material around the stem and stick, automatic means for severing predetermined lengths from a supply of said material at me end of the wrapping operation, and means for delivering sticks singularly to the first mentioned means so that by placing the stems in engagement with said first mentioned means the operation can be continuously carried on.

10. In a machine of the class described, a holder, means for supporting a stick in parallel relation with a stem in the holder, a wire spool construction mounted for rotation, means for drawing the wire from the spool and simultaneously wrapping the same around the stick and stem, and means for moving; the wire spool in a direction toward the stem and stick to occasion the spiral wrapping of the wire.

11. In a machine of the class described, a supporting member for holding a pair of elements temporarily to ether, a wire spool construction mounted ror rotation, means for drawing the wire from the spool and simultaneously wrapping the same around the elements, and means for moving the wire spool in a direction toward said elements to occasion the spiral wrapping of the wire around the elements.

12. In a machine of the character described, a holder, means for supplying singly and supporting a stick in parallel relation with a stem in the holder, a wire spool construction mounted for rotation, means for drawing the wire from the spool and simultaneously wrapping the same around stick and stem in the holder, and means for moving the wire spool in a direction toward said holder to occasion the spiral wrapping of the wire.

13. In a machine of the class described, a holder for a stem, a stem reenforcing stick supply container, automatic means for positioning a single stick from the container in parallel relation with a stem in the holder,

and automatic means for applying an interconnecting member to a stem and stick in the holder.

14:. In a machine of the class described, a holder for a stem, a stem reenfor-cing stick supply container, automatic means for positioning a single stick from the container in parallel relation with a stem in the holder, and automatic means for interconnecting a stem and stick while in the holder comprising a source of wire supply, means for wrapping a predetermined length of the wire around the stem and stick in the holder, and means for severing the predetermined length of the wire from the source of supply thereof at the end of the wrapping op eration.

15. In a machine of the character described, a holder for a stem, a source of reenforcing stem sticks, means for disposing a single stick into close relation with a stem in the holder, a source of flexible binding material, and means for wrapping a predetermined length of the binding material around a stick and stem.

16. In a machine of the character described, a holder for a stem, a source of flexible wire, means for delivering singly sticks to the holder, automatic means for clamping the free end of the wire to a point adjacent a stem and stick in the holder, means for wrapping the wire around the stem and stick in the holder, and means for releasing said clamp during the wrapping operation.

17. In a machine of the class described, a holder for a stem and a reenforcing stick, a source of flexible wire, means for clamping the free end of the wire from the source to a point adjacent a stem and stick in the holder, automatic means for spirally wrapping a predetermined length of the wire around the stem and stick in the holder, means operable automatically during the wrapping operation for releasing said clamp, and automatic means for severing the predetermined length of wire from the source thereof at the end of the wrapping operation.

18. In a machine of the class described, a holder for a stem and stick in parallel relation, a source of flexible wire, means for clamping the free end of the wire from the source thereof to a point adjacent a stem and stick in the holder, automatic means for spirally wrapping a predetermined length of the wire around the stem and stick in the holder, means operable automatically during the wrapping operation for releasing said. clamp, and automatic means for severing the predetermined length of the wire from the source thereof at the end of the wrapping operation comprising a cutter blade mounted for operation adjacent one end of the holder.

19. In a machine of the class described, a holder for a stem, a hopper for receiving a supply of suitable length sticks that are to be directed into the holder in parallel relation with a stem therein, automatic means for moving a single stick into position adja cent a stem within the holder, a source of wire, and automatic means for wrapping the wire about a stem and stick in the holder.

20. In a machine of the class described, a holder for a stem, a source of supply of suitable length reenforcing sticks, automatic means for moving the sticks singly into position parallel with a stem in the holder at each complete operation of the machine, and automatic means for uniting a stick and stem in the holder.

21. In a machine of the class described, a holder for a stem, and a stick in parallel relation, a spool mounted for rotation and for movement toward and away from the stem and stick in the holder, means for automatically rotating and otherwise moving the spool during the operation of the machine, means for spirally wrapping the wire from the spool around the stem and stick, a wire supply reel, and means for cutting out the movement of the spool toward and away from the stem and stick in the holder in order that a further supply of wire from the wire supply reel may be wound upon the spool during the rotation of the same.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ELMO L. BROWN 

